COTE DE TEXAS: THE STONE TURRET HOUSE

THE STONE TURRET HOUSE

                             

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I got a call from my friend, the client who lives in the Tanglewood House, telling me all about this house she had just been to in West University, my stomping grounds.   She was raving on and on about the landscaping - “you have to go see this house, you’ll just love it!!!”   When I asked her about the interiors, she said “you’ll like them I’m sure, but truthfully, I was so busy looking at the landscaping I didn’t concentrate on the inside.”    After getting the address, I thought I would do a quick stalkerish drive by, just to do some preliminary reconnaissance - you know, all legal and on the up and up, of course.   Driving by the house, I could see exactly why my friend was hyperventilating over the landscaping – it was just so Texas French, for lack of a better term.  I recognized the house immediately.  I have passed by it a million times probably – well, maybe just a 1/2 million times, and I was itching to photograph it.   I quickly texted my friend  –   “Can you really get me inside that house?”  

And so, there I was, just a week or two later, with my camera – taking pictures all over this poor woman’s house.  She had been thrust into this voyeuristic endeavor without a clue of how many people would now be peering at her house, her landscaping, her furniture, and judging all the design choices she and her husband had lovingly made together.   Standing at the front door, I was a little apprehensive myself.    I was flying blind – what if I didn’t like the decor, what would I say?   Once the door opened, I let out a huge whoosh of air – with one quick glance, I knew I was going to absolutely love it.    She had after all, that most wonderful combination:   S&S aka  Seagrass and Slipcovers – which of course only made me love her house all that more.  What is it about those two S’s that causes me to lust after a house?   I’m beginning to think that even a shack in the dreariest part of town, with a Pottery Barn seagrass rug and white slipped sofa from Ikea would send me into rapture.   But I digress.  

After a quick tour of the inside, the three of us walked out into her backyard – and I my jaw dropped.  It was so green and lush, divided into “rooms” by paths of gravel.   There was even an outside living area, and an open to the sky stone fireplace.   I immediately thought that if I lived here, I would be in the back yard most of the day and night – reading, eating, and sitting by the fire.   The owner assured me that her husband does spend most of every evening out back, nursing a cigar. I thought I probably would even take up cigar smoking  if I lived there!    Of course, by the time the tour was all over, I was begging her to sell me her house.  It has all the charm of an older house, yet it is so open and bright, the rooms all graciously flow into one another.   Most likely to get rid of the camera wielding idiot, the owner promised she would give me first dibs if they ever do decide to sell.  I’m not waiting by the phone.  

 

The Tour:

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The Stone Turret House:   The front walk is made up of gravel and large pavers.

 

 

 

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The front walkway leads to a large terrace set behind a low stone wall.    

 

 

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The front door is charming – with its small window and arch.   Notice the iron balconies on the windows and above the front door. 

 

 

imageThe house is located on a corner – here the front terrace leads off to a gravel path that goes down to the side of the house and onto the back yard and garage.

 

 

 

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The path that leads from the front terrace to the side of the house.  On the right is a side door where more familiar visitors enter the house. 

 

 

 

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The side of the house – showing the entry way into the family room.    The second, smaller terrace is planted with mostly perennials. 

 

 

 

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The backyard is behind the hedge.  The garage is to the left – out of view. 

 

 

 

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The back yard.  This view shows the rear of the house.  The breakfast room is behind the French doors, while the family room is to the right.  

 

 

 

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Standing on the back porch, facing the back yard.  The garage is to the left, the open room/summer kitchen is to the right.  Behind the gate on the far right is the open air fireplace.   The large stone path divides the backyard into two “rooms” – a fountain and table and chairs are to the left.  To the right is a series of flower beds reached by gravel pathways.  Until just recently, this backyard was just a sea of grass.

 

 

 

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Along the left side of the back yard is a fountain lit by two gas lanterns.     The street is behind the hedge.

 

 

image On the right side of the yard are a series of flowerbeds, reached by gravel pathways. 

 

 

image Inside the newly converted summer kitchen.   This was once an enclosed room that adjoined the garage.  Now, it is open to the elements.   You can see the house at the end of the stone walkway.

 

 

 

imageAnother view of the summer kitchen room – there is a refrigerator out here and a flatscreen!  No wonder the husband spends all his time out here.

 

 

image  Sitting next to the summer kitchen – is the outdoor fireplace made of the same limestone that is on the house.   Behind the gates is a dog run.

 

 

image Ready to go inside the Stone Turret House?   Inside the turret is a small entry hall that leads to the living room.

 

 

 

image The first view, once you pass the entry room, of the living room.   Beyond the arch is the family room.   The dining room is the right of the living room and the kitchen is to the right of the stairway.  

 

 

image The living room is so beautiful!  There is a custom cut seagrass rug, along with a really pretty and feminine crystal chandelier.   The large arched window is covered in champagne colored silk.   The coffee table is a large mirrored rectangular that the owner recently purchased from Kay O’Toole.   The mantel is original to the house. 

 

 

 

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I love this chair with its large nail heads.    Behind the metal table you can just see into the turret entry hall with its Louis Philippe antique mirror. 

 

 

 

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The sofa is a creamy white slipcover.  Behind the sofa, is a chinoiserie styled desk.  You can see into the kitchen at the left of the desk and the dining room at its right.    I absolutely adore that lantern!   The owner burns real candles in it – so atmospheric!!!

 

 

 

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Hello there!  What I love about the mirror is that it perfectly reflects the gorgeous chandelier.   The chandelier is really the focal point of the room – you see it twice!!

 

 

image Through the arch is the family room.   The front walkway lines up with the window in the living room, and straight through this archway into the family room, creating an visual axis.   

 

 

 

 

 

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The dining room is to the right of the front door and the living room.    You can see the living room here, through the open doorway.  Through the shutters, you can see the kitchen.  In the dining room there are two matching china cabinets purchased at Joyce Horn Antiques.   The iron chandelier, powered by electric candles that look SO real, is from BROWN.  

 

 

 

image The large oval table from Carl Moore has chairs from BROWN and two mismatched antique host and hostess chairs.   Two large Moroccan lanterns flank the front window.  The curtains are celadon colored sheers with a fleur de lis pattern. 

 

 

 

imageBoth matching china cabinets are filled with gorgeous white ironstone.   The large gilt mirror reflects everything.  

 

 

imageI love this host chair with its gilt finish and the burlap upholstery with nail heads mixed with white linen on its back and seat cushion.  Too cute!!!  You can see the second china cabinet filled with dishes and glasses. 

 

 

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Here’s a closeup of the second china cabinet.  Notice how the back of the cabinets are painted the same color of the sheers.   I love china that is openly displayed like this.  

 

 

 image Connecting to the dining room is the kitchen.  This room was completely remodeled several years ago.    Along the left wall is a short china cabinet, next is the door that leads to the stairwell and then is another taller cabinet that acts as the pantry.   Past the kitchen is the breakfast room which looks out the backyard through French Doors. 

 

 

 

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The walls in the kitchen are stone, like the outside of the house.   The large Wolf range is set inside the stone walls.  Along the left is the pantry with its doors inset with brass grills. 

 

 

image The stone wall wraps around from the range to the sink area.   On the right is open cabinetry to hold the dishes.  To the right of the refrigerator is the dining room.

 

 

 

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I love how there are no upper cabinets – instead there is a row of large windows.  So pretty!!!

 

 

imageThis glass doored cabinet is filled with green glassware – it doubles as a buffet.  Through the door are the stairs off the living room.  

 

 

 imageThe breakfast room off the kitchen runs along the back wall of the house.  A large built in holds even more ironstone.  The owner told us she has been collecting it for years!   The large sunburst mirror  hangs over the small breakfast table that seats two. 

 

 

 

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A close up of the cabinetry.  I love the legs on the center desk section and the beadboard back on the shelves.  

 

 

 

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We now leave the breakfast room for the family room, down a few steps.   Throughout the first floor there is a series of steps that add so much charm to the house.   The floor plan really flows – all the rooms are open to each other, which is unusual in many older homes.  

 

 

imagePast the breakfast room door is the family room.  This large room has a custom cut seagrass rug.  Through two arched French doors, you can see into the back yard    There is a gorgeous antique armoire that hides the TV.   This room connects directly to the living room.

 

 

image In the family room, there is a cute yellow and white checked slipped sofa with club chairs that have a Lee Jofa crewel fabric used on the the back cushions and pillows.

 

 

imageThe family room connects directly to the front living room. 

 

 

 

 image This side door is where family and friends come into the house after parking on the side street.  It leads directly to the gravel terrace with the perennials.

 

 

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Another picture of the side terrace off the family room.   So pretty!!!

 

 

image The view of the family room leading into the living room.  The front sidewall was moved to create an axis from the front yard all the way through the living room past the family room, out to the backyard.

 

 

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The gravel and stone walkway that creates the axis from the front living room through the family room. 

 

 

 

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Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the upstairs.  I didn’t even GET to see the upstairs!   But,  I was so grateful to see the downstairs that I didn’t even care.  Apparently, there is some redecorating going on up there. 

Giving a special thank you to the homeowner for all her gracious hospitality!!!    I hope you all enjoyed seeing pictures of the Stone Turret House.  As usual, I am always looking for houses to show on the blog – in Houston or else where.  If you are interested or know someone who might be – please email me at mrballbox329@aol.com

 

 

Credits: 

Interior designer:  Diana Martin at Habicon@comcast.net.   Diana assisted with paint colors, living room furniture and designing the kitchen cabinets.

Landscape Architect:  Suzy Fischer with Fischer Schalles Inc. and Mike Gibson who does ongoing installations, advice and upkeep:   713-520-1395

 

 

 

Reminder:   We have a giveaway on the Skirted Roundtable – hurry!!!!!  www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com

65 comments :

  1. Joni;

    Well; another gorgeous Houston Home.

    What a look I so admire. Nicely done, decorated and desired, I am sure!

    L.

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  2. What a beautiful home. I love the character of older homes. They just seem content with themselves. Not sure if that'll make sense to anyone but me...

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  3. Really lovely home...and the outdoor spaces are stellar!

    Yet another Houston beaut...does it ever end?? And are you seriosly looking for a new place. I get that feeling.

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  4. well the kitchen is pretty fab, but I'm going to have to say those divine champagne silk curtains are the star of the home for me - divine!!! (I WANT THEM!)

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  5. Thank you for sharing this gorgeous home with us!! Absolutely beautiful but liveable, too! Wonderful post as always. Made a nice start to my day to read it. ;)

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  6. Gulp! Beautiful! Love the stone wall in the kitchen! Thanks for sharing.

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  7. That's one gorgeous house and yard! It isn't too formal and has farmhouses touches throughout, which warms the vastness of it up.
    Brenda

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  8. Morning, Joni! Oh, a little bit of Frenchness planted in good ole Houston! Oh, this is a wonderful lovely home! Inside and out! It's all so beautiful - see my piano for Note Songs! :) I adore the kitchen and love the open shelves builtins with the ironstone in the breakfast room!
    Oh, I see you snapping! Guess what? I'm having a Bathroom Beauty Snappy Party at my blog on Friday. I would love love love it if you would join us. You, the most famous one! Oh, that would make it perfect if you could come.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  9. Joni,
    I need to move!! You have the most beautiful houses in Texas! I mean it-houses like this just aren't available here!! And the outdoor spaces are to die for - of course they never would be practical in Boston with the snow-but a girl can dream can't she??
    xx-Gina

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  10. Hi Joni-----the home is gorgeous, but the gardens make my heart sing. They simply make me happy!
    Thanks for a super start to the day.

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  11. I have always loved the outside of this house; I pass it on my morning walk. JONI: BE WARNED: I will outbid you on this home if it ever goes up for sale!! Thanks for the interior tour which is just as beautiful as the exterior.

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  12. ahhhhh.....so creamy, so calming, what a gorgeous home! I'm sure the family loves living there - I know I would!

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  13. A beautiful house! Thanks for sharing. Absolutely love, love, love the gardens.

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  14. A lovely home Joni...thank you for the tour, xv.

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  15. You had me at "stone turret!" I'd be happy as a lark to just live in the summer kitchen! What an amazing home they have created - and exquisite taste. I love how they let the architectural features shine in every room.
    Thanks for the tour - I can see why you loved it so much.

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  16. What a beautiful home, inside and out. Thank you for looking crazy to bring us photos of this home. I appreciate it!

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  17. What a lovely way to spend time this morning, this is truly a gorgeous home, so understated which can be so difficult to pull off. Great job on the photograpahs as well Joni. Love the silk drapes, the breakfast room, the kitchen, the everything. I am sure the owner will be thrilled with the result of your polite stalking.
    All the best. XO

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  18. Joni, I just smile when I picture your stalking activities!! What a gorgeous property, one I can see myself completely at home!!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  19. Do I have a house for you to come and stalk....photos forthcoming....
    Each time I pass this home, I say, now if Joni were only here she would be inside chatting it up, photographing and instantly being part of the family.
    pve

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  20. That fabric on the sofa in the family room is one I've loved for such a long time. The whole post is beautiful but I really want to cozy up in that room! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. Gorgeous, charming and very elegant!! What a marvellous reason to buy some lottery tickets today! Thanks for sharing -- this home (because it is MORE than just a house!) is the stuff that decor dreams are made of!

    Jan at Rosemary Cottage

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  22. ...so sweet joni...do you know how you feel about slipcovers and seagrass... well that is how i feel about stone houses and pea gravel...

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  23. This is an absolutely beautiful home and garden....I love the interiors! Thank you so much for sharing this!!

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  24. Hi Joni :0) What a beautiful home! I love the stone walls in the kitchen, and I LOVE that hutch in the dining room too! Thanks for sharing another beautiful space with us.

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  25. Dear Joni,
    How can we ~ in the blog world ~ ever thank you enough for sharing this beauty with us!!!

    Your photos are professional and your words so beautifully written ~ and quite witty I might add.

    thank you .........

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  26. Two words - I'm drooling! So, after you buy it, can I have first dibs when you sell it? Thanks for finding and sharing this masterpiece with us.

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  27. Hi Joni...

    What a treat and thanks to you and homeowner for the tour...I was sucked right in when I saw Stone Turret lol

    I thought it was going to be too fussy, it's just so darn cozy !!!

    Love that familyroom and the summer kitchen, I'd never see hubby again he'd love it out there.

    I have not been around much to blogland been a bit hectic in my little life....so glad I was able to pop in today..

    Hope all is well in your neck of the woods....

    All the best,
    Kathy :)

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  28. Wow! So gorgeous! Thank you for the inspiration.

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  29. when I saw stone turret house in the title.. I knew I was going to love this.Love the interior... but love love love the gardens... I think this must be what Tara Dillard refers to as the vanishing threshold. Thanks as always for your wonderful post

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  30. Lovely! Thank you for your detailed posts, as usual.

    Any guesses on what a paint color like their kitchen cabinets might be? Or something similar? That's a color I haven't seen a lot of in kitchens...love it!

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  31. There really isn't anything I don't love about this house, with its cozy sitting areas and beautiful finishes but that has got to be one of my favorite kitchens in a while- so homey and inviting. That gorgeous butcher block coupled with the stone walls and all the natural light from the bank of windows- happy happy room.

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  32. Thanks for taking us along.
    BarG

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  33. Joni~ thank you so much for getting us in there! I jog by this house every day and always look for a 'for sale' sign. I've warned my husband that if this one goes up, he's in trouble. I could just tell from the outside that I would love it and now thanks to you I know I do. It's the perfect size for my little family, it's not huge at all.

    Heading back to pour over your great pics now.
    Thank you!
    T

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  34. Such astonishingly beautiful simplicity.

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  35. Joni,
    What a beautiful home! The garden is inspiring. Your photography skills are terrific. Your photos are well-composed and you post them large enough that we can appreciate all the details in the room. Your blog is my favorite!

    Jennifer
    Atlanta

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  36. Wonderful, thank you for showing us!

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  37. Oh Joni! Thank you for STALKING!!!! What an incredible home and yard. I DIE!!! :)

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  38. You hit the jack-pot getting in this home. The homeowner and designer have impeccable taste and so many unique and fabulous ideas. I love the living room, esp. the silk ball-gown drapes and the mirrored table. The crewel-backs on the family room chairs are a fabulous idea. And I am smitten by the white stone-ware in the desk shelves!

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  39. Oh how I love this house, the colors the light it is all so appealing to me. The yellow checked sofa did it for me. the stone wall in the kitchen great texture. It is all so lovely, Thank you so much Joni for taking us on this wonderful virtual tour. I can tell the homeowner has made a home not just a well appointed house. Kathysue

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  40. Joni,

    Okay, confession time. I cannot afford a designer so I frequently copy design ideas from your blog site (PLEASE DON'T TELL MY NEIGHBORS). Love, love the chair with the large nailheads. Do you happen to know who's the manufacturer? I'll take two chairs please.

    LIVING IN LIES
    Nothern Virginia

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  41. You give the best "Home Tours", thanks and thanks to the home owner. Just beautiful!

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  42. I just love everything about this beautiful house!! Thanks to you and the homeowner for sharing! I love your blog. I get inspired all the time.

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  43. J'Adore! Houston must have the prettiest homes and gardens per square mile of any city in the US!

    Every detail is well thought out, lovely, calm and beautiful!

    Please send along our thanks to the homeowner for sharing her elegant home with us.

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  44. Joni, thank you for this amazing tour! I do believe it is one of my favorite houses you've featured . . . the family room is a dream! The homeowners have beautiful taste. A special thank you to them for allowing us to enjoy this tour!

    Jennifer

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  45. Gorgeous! The livng room is simply divine....do you think they would notice if I moved right in? LOL..Thanks for sharing :o)
    ~Des

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  46. WOW!!! Gorgeous photos!! What a beatiful home! I looove it! Thank you for sharing:)

    Have a nice day!

    xx
    Anette:)

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  47. Dear Joni,

    Please, please, NEVER give up stalking.

    regards
    from a fan & follower

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  48. I don't even know where to begin! It's all perfect, unique, comfortable, the goal (that when you see it put together like this you know it's attainable) and so worth the time and energy. Merci to the Stalker & the Stalkee ;-)

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  49. With so much stone in the backyard, very clever to have the creeping fig on the base of the fireplace - very neat and clipped! Adds just the right touch of greenery to the stone. Beautiful!

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  50. Finally, a great house with lovely furnishings and the garden is beautiful. This house has it all.

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  51. This house sets my heart aflutter as I'm a sucker for stonework!

    I, too, could certainly see myself inhabiting this home!

    We'll have to fight over it and the Fabulous Flea home!

    Oh, and that Georges Nasri print hanging in your bath? It looks like you commissioned it. Perfection!

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  52. Joni...so enjoyed the tour of this gorgeous home! I don't know which was more amazing...the interior or the gardens!

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  53. No one shows a home as well as you. Very nice indeed. I loved it all except maybe those kitchen counter tops but everything else is quite nice. Loved the outdoor scapes as well just wish our summers were more pleasant to enjoy such spaces.

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  54. Another fabulous tour Joni! Thanks for all of the inspiration. laurie

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  55. Joni,

    When I saw the first picture you posted of this home, the phrase "You had me at hello" from the movie "Jerry McGuire" came to my mind!! And I know each room you walked into just made you more giddy with delight. The bones of this house are absolutely wonderful, and the decor just as great. Beautiful home. I could walk in there today, not change a thing, and be deliriously happy. No wonder you wanted first dibs! It is your dream home! : )
    The closest I will ever get to a house like this is that my daughter's boyfriend has French heritage, and they will be living in Texas!
    Thanks for getting the courage to ask to photograph this home. : )
    Anne

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  56. Please enter me in the drawing giveaway!
    dkmunoz@comcast.net

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  57. My jaw dropped upon seeing the house's iron lighting. I love the wall lamp in image631, but the iron chandelier and wall pendant lantern in image751 lingered more in my head. Whoever picked those must be a genius.

    I want something like that in my house! Good thing I know a source of hand forged iron chandeliers. I'm gonna make sketches of a chandelier similar to the one in the photo. Ooh, I'm so excited!

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